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Jordy Nelson Not Going to Fret About Preseason Playing Time

Jordy Nelson doesn't know if he's going to play on Saturday against the St. Louis Rams.

The Green Bay Packers wide receiver calls it a coach's decision.

Nelson also doesn't want to talk about his hamstring injury that kept him out of the Packers' preseason opener at the Tennessee Titans.

"We're good," said Nelson. "I'm not going to discuss it. It's something that myself and this organization deals with."

As much as Nelson's avoidance tactics could be interpreted as having an inflated ego after signing a four-year, $39 million contract extension at the beginning of training camp, not to be bothered with meaningless exhibition football that will have no bearing on the team's season, it has more to do with Nelson having been around football long enough to know the bigger picture.

The upcoming preseason game against the Rams might be the story of the week in Green Bay, but it's also insignficant, easily forgotten in the public's consciousness just a day or two later.

Perhaps proving the forgettable nature of preseason football, it's been largely forgotten that Nelson didn't play a single down in the preseason in 2013 after having sugery on his knee to correct a nerve issue.

"I think I'll be fine either way," said Nelson. "Obviously last year I didn't do any of the preseason games, and it worked out well. So not that I want to do that again, but we got two more left. So I think we'll have it figured out soon enough.

"Either way I won't be surprised, but I mean, it's a preseason game. Our goal is to make sure everyone's ready come Week 1. One way or another, we'll get there. I think I've been here long enough. I'm not saying you don't need to play in them, because I think if you're healthy, you should."

Nelson's lack of preseason playing time last year had no bearing on what can only be classified as a successful regular season, starting all 16 games and hauling in a career-high 85 passes for 1,314 yards and eight touchdowns. And that was with quarterback Aaron Rodgers missing the better part of eight games.

Although, maybe Nelson doesn't want to talk about his injury because he's dealt with a balky hamstring in the past. In 2012, a hamstring pull prevented him from playing in four games. Coincidentally, the Packers won all four games.

In addition to missing this past Saturday's game against the Titans, Nelson also missed practice the day before the game and the first prace following the game on Monday.

Nelson returned in time for Tuesday's session, although he took part in only a limited basis.

As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks, Nelson figures to only get healthier between now and Saturday. But whether that means he plays against the Rams is another matter.

McCarthy confirmed Rodgers would play in St. Louis after being a healthy scratch in the preseason opener, but the coach has not made any such guarantees regarding his star wide receiver.

"You know that you don't want to miss time," said Nelson. "But I don't think the chemistry between Aaron and I isn't going to be made or broken off of a few plays in St. Louis."

Brian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor at Cheesehead TV and its "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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